After striking down the unconstitutional ban on same-sex marriage in Wisconsin last week, a move that allowed—in eight days—more than 500 couples to finally wed, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb has ruled to put same-sex marriages on hold while an appeal from Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen is pending.

Couples in Wisconsin arrived at courthouses as early as 6 a.m. this morning for an opportunity to…
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Van Hollen, who said that there was confusion and uncertainty about Crabb's ruling, argued that allowing marriages while the underlying case was pending created confusion about the legality of those marriages, and requested that she put her ruling on hold. Judge Crabb expressed mixed feelings about her decision to do so:

"After seeing the expressions of joy on the faces of so many newly wedded couples featured in media reports, I find it difficult to impose a stay on the event that is responsible for eliciting that emotion, even if the stay is only temporary. ... Same-sex couples have waited many years to receive equal treatment under the law, so it is understandable that they do not want to wait any longer. However, a federal district court is required to follow the guidance provided by the Supreme Court."

Speaking to the AP, John Knight, attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, called Crabb's decision to put her order on hold disappointing:

"But we will fight for a quick resolution on appeal and are confident that marriage will be a reality in Wisconsin very soon for lesbian and gay couples who have waited much too long already."